Renowned American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer, Stevie Wonder, declared that Ghana has been his desired destination since his visit in the 1990s.
During a press conference in Accra on May 13, 2024, Stevie Wonder made this declaration,
following his conferment of Ghanaian citizenship by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House. Accompanied by his family, Mr. Wonder will now hold citizenship in both the United States and Ghana.
“I give all praise to God for what I’ve done. This is a dream that I knew would happen in reality…… Envisioning me being there. And then, in the nineties, amazingly coming to Ghana for the the first time, and wow, it felt like home. It felt as if I had been there. It felt like I remember the essence of it like I remember the essence of when I was born. The essence I felt again. I knew the people. And so I just want to let you all know, no different than since the beginning of my life, I knew that Stevie Wonder was a vehicle that God gave me to use my spirit, Stevie Morris, to do things to make the world better…..” he said.
Stevland Hardaway Judkins, as his birth name, came into this world on May 13, 1950. From the moment he entered, he faced the challenge of being blind. But that didn’t stop him. At the tender age of 11, he inked a deal with Motown’s Tamla label and took on the stage name “Little Stevie Wonder.” You know, back in 1963, his track “Fingertips” soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making him the youngest solo artist to ever hit that pinnacle. But that was just the beginning.
Throughout the ’70s, Wonder’s albums like “Music of My Mind,” “Talking Book,” and “Songs in the Key to Life” were like nothing we’d ever heard before. And get this: those last two snagged the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. That’s three times in a row! His blend of jazz, soul, gospel, funk, and pop, along with his pioneering use of synthesizers, redefined modern R&B. Stevie Wonder, he’s not just a musician; he’s a force of nature, reshaping the musical landscape as we know it.
In celebration of his 64th birthday milestone here in Ghana, a lavish dinner extravaganza was hosted at the prestigious Labadi Beach Hotel, nestled in the heart of Accra. The evening served as a grand culmination of Stevie Wonder’s newly acquired Ghanaian citizenship and his profound vision of fostering unity among young black individuals.
Amidst the scenic beauty of the coastline, luminaries and dignitaries from near and far gathered to honour the musical maestro’s extraordinary journey and unwavering commitment to his newfound purpose. Graced with the event were “the Godfather of Hiplife” Reggie Rockstone, three-time Grammy-nominee, songwriter and record producer, Rocky Dawuni, to mention but a few.
Mr. Wonder further shared his impassioned vision of empowerment and solidarity, emphasizing the importance of bridging divides and uplifting the next generation of black leaders.
With each moment infused with warmth and harmony, the dinner at Labadi Beach Hotel became not just a celebration, but a symbol of hope and possibility. Stevie Wonder’s journey continues to illuminate pathways of unity and purpose, reminding us all of the power of music and the boundless potential of the human spirit.
“And so now that I am too a citizen of this country, my goal is to bring people together. In a time where there is division all over the world, I believe me that the call is for us all to come together, to give voice to the voiceless, to give peace in those places where there is war, where children are dying, where mothers and children are starving to death. That is not in God’s plan. Never. I was so fortunate to have a chance to come here, while coming here, having a chance to experience the story, the documentary of President Jimmy Carter. And I know that he, different than a lot of those before and after him, his desire was to do what was right.” he said
